Wednesday 16th October 2024 - winners, and lots of seconds....

We have had a winner and five seconds from just 8 runners in the first two weeks of the month, which although is slightly frustrating, it is certainly not disappointing as we want to see them all progressing as the season develops. 

It was wonderful to see Reach for the Moon winning again in HM The Queen’s colours, under a penalty, and he showed real tenacity under pressure, which was pleasing, and I am quite sure there is a lot more to come from him.  Gavin gave him a lovely ride to get him up on the line, and his opening handicap mark certainly looks workable. 

Reach for the Moon wins again in the colours of HM The Queen

The first four of our ‘winter runners’ all hit the crossbar, but I was delighted with Ga Law’s comeback run in the feature handicap at the opening Chepstow meeting.  He stayed on all the way to the line under a big weight, and he will certainly improve with that run under his belt as we look to aim him back at the Paddy Power Gold Cup – a race he won two years ago.

Bumper winners Wendigo and Laurens Bay were both 2^nd on their hurdling debuts, but both showed plenty of promise but were just beaten by their inexperience.  I think they are two lovely horses who can progress throughout the season.  Admiral Stewart was also 2^nd in a bumper on his racecourse debut.  He looks a future staying chaser, so we’ll look to get him into a novice hurdle on his next start, and he should be in the winners enclosure before long.

Laurens Bay is one of the many 2nds we've had this last fortnight. 

Obsessedwithyou was beaten in the tightest of finishes at Southwell earlier this month.  She was leading before the line, and after the line, but just missed out where it mattered.  That was a frustrating result! However, she will benefit from a short break now and will develop into a lovely horse for the spring.

Now let’s turn these 2nds into winners……